Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor

”How about it? Old Ge, the genius from Lushan City I’ve sent out is not bad, right!”

In a certain corner of the Arena Hall, Lushan City’s branch chairman Lu Liancheng glanced sideways at Ge Buqi, whose face appeared somewhat gloomy, and spoke words of boastful ridicule.

”Humph, it’s only the first round. I don’t believe that Yun Xiao will really be able to contend with Bai Wushuang and Ye Ku!”

Agitated by Lu Liancheng’s words, Ge Buqi could only stiffen his neck and put on a brave face, and once he spoke, many surrounding people nodded slightly.

After all, Yun Xiao had only defeated Qiu Guang, whose strength paled significantly compared to the top talents from the two major lineages, making them hardly comparable.

Although Yun Xiao won easily, talents like Bai Wushuang and Ye Ku from Lianyun Mountain had long become deeply ingrained in the minds of these branch chairmen. Unless the reality was right before their eyes, they wouldn’t believe those two were inferior to Yun Xiao.

”Haha, then let’s wait and see the show. The elder position in Lushan City is reserved for you, Old Ge!”

Lu Liancheng seemed quite confident in Yun Xiao. Instead of losing face, and since no one has really lost yet, at most, he might only lose some Earth Void Thunder Pearls, which is no significant loss for him.

......

The discussions in the Arena Hall were naturally unheard by Yun Xiao, and at this moment, his gaze had already shifted to a not-so-unfamiliar figure, who was slowly walking onto the stage.

”Li Gongnian!”

Yun Xiao found the figure familiar because the person was the genius Li Gongnian from Spirit Fighting Commerce, who had recently joined Lianyun Mountain.

”This guy’s luck is pretty good; he’s already broken through to the Peak of Seeking Origin Realm!”

Yun Xiao’s attention was drawn to Li Gongnian because he had undergone significant changes over the past month, particularly his breakthrough in Meridian Qi Cultivation to the Peak of the Seeking Origin Realm.

Back then, in Lianyun Mountain, Yun Xiao had fought against Li Gongnian, who only possessed cultivation at the Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage.

Li Gongnian’s arrival to participate in the selection for Refining Cloud Mountain disciples was indeed a strategic move, benefitting significantly from Lianyun Mountain’s resources over the past month. Not only did his Meridian Qi Cultivation breakthrough, but he also reached Earth Rank Middle Level with his Meridian Refining Technique.

Li Gongnian’s luck seemed quite favorable, as his first-round opponent was merely a genius from Heavenly Hospital at the Origin Seeking Realm Middle Stage, inferior by two small realms, making the outcome of the battle evident.

Bang!

A loud noise erupted from the stage as Li Gongnian forcefully dispatched his opponent, and his gaze slightly shifted onto Yun Xiao, mirroring moves done earlier by Heavenly Hospital’s genius Bai Wushuang.

It appeared that Li Gongnian’s breakthrough to the Peak of the Seeking Origin Realm had significantly boosted his Heart Qi. Although Yun Xiao’s breakthrough was arguably more impressive, having just defeated Qiu Guang at the Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage effortlessly, it didn’t cause Li Gongnian much disquiet.

Indeed, few cultivators across the Continent could fight beyond their level, and geniuses like Li Gongnian from Spirit Fighting Commerce were already among the strongest combat powers within the same rank.

Previously, Li Gongnian had never lost in battles against cultivators of the same rank; his defeat to Yun Xiao was merely in Meridian Refining Technique, and in terms of Vein Energy Combat Power, he had poised himself never to lose again.

Having won the first-round among competition, Li Gongnian knew Yun Xiao would be his opponent in the next round, and in his mind, he already perceived imminent vengeance for Yun Xiao’s prior humiliations.

”Unless there are any objections, we can directly proceed to the second round of this annual competition!”

Seeing the last fight come to an end, chairing in the northern seats, Qian Sanyuan stood up and after sensing the presence of the eight advancing individuals, spoke loudly.

The annual competition appeared rather humane, for if someone were injured in the first round, the event might conclude for the day. Yet, even with a day of rest at most, the second round would undoubtedly proceed the following day.

Fortunately, no one suffered serious injuries in the first round, and many victors secured their triumphs effortlessly, such as Ye Ku, who won without expending any Meridian Qi.

No one raised objections to Qian Sanyuan’s words, but when Yun Xiao glanced at the duo for the first match of the second round, his brows furrowed slightly.

The protagonists of this match were unmistakably Bai Wushuang and Liu Hanyi. Yun Xiao frowned because he was aware that Liu Hanyi at the Origin Seeking Realm Middle Stage was absolutely not a match for Bai Wushuang.

Familiar with Bai Wushuang’s temperament, Yun Xiao knew he was not one to spare mercy, and given Bai Wushuang’s displeasure with him, there existed the possibility he could seize the opportunity to attack Liu Hanyi ruthlessly, especially considering Yun Xiao and Liu Hanyi’s relationship might not be secret anymore.

Yet upon seeing Liu Hanyi directly step onto the main stage without hesitation, Yun Xiao refrained from voicing deterrence, knowing the importance of determination and courage crucially impacts future cultivation.

However, Yun Xiao’s feet slightly moved, his figure inching closer to the central main stage, already preparing to intervene whenever necessary. Given his friendship with Liu Hanyi, he couldn’t possibly just stand by.

”I didn’t expect you’d truly dare to come up!”

On the arena stage, looking at the graceful girl not far ahead, Bai Wushuang’s eyes flashed with a hint of gloom. Though Liu Hanyi could also be considered a great beauty, at this moment, in his eyes, she was disgustingly hateful.

The reason lies in the relationship between Liu Hanyi and Yun Xiao. It’s the so-called ”hate by association.” Bai Wushuang wants to destroy everything related to Yun Xiao.

”Since you dare to stand here, you must be prepared to lose your life. If you want to blame someone, blame that Yun Xiao kid!”

Seeing the girl across him remain silent, Bai Wushuang couldn’t help but say a few more words. This statement further confirmed to the crowd under the arena that the first genius of Heavenly Hospital had an irreconcilable grudge with Yun Xiao, who had recently joined Refining Cloud Mountain.

Even a girl related to Yun Xiao could provoke such deep resentment in Bai Wushuang. It’s imaginable what kind of unforgivable feud exists between the two involved?

Whew...

After Bai Wushuang finished speaking, he didn’t say much more. His entire figure transformed into a blurred shadow, approaching Liu Hanyi at an extremely fast speed.

It’s undeniable that this genius of Heavenly Hospital is indeed strong. Even though Liu Hanyi possesses the abnormal physique of an Immortal Poison Body, after a few moves, Bai Wushuang landed a kick on her abdomen, causing her to step back with a pale face.

Bam!

Bai Wushuang, gaining the advantage, showed no intention of holding back. He was more than willing to do anything to make Yun Xiao miserable and desperate—like trying to kill Liu Hanyi at this moment.

With internal injuries, Liu Hanyi stood no chance against Bai Wushuang’s heavy blow. Her graceful figure was knocked flying, blood spraying from her mouth as she directly flew out of the arena.

Whoosh!

At that moment, as Liu Hanyi was about to crash onto the ground below the arena, suffering a second impact, a gray figure swiftly darted out, catching her before she hit the ground.

Puff, puff, puff, puff...

The one who darted out to catch Liu Hanyi was, of course, Yun Xiao. His face looked a bit gloomy, feeling the serious injuries inside her body. Without hesitation, he pressed his fingers numerous times on the front and back of Liu Hanyi’s torso.

The speed was such that people could almost see the afterimages of his fingers.

”Is that... a Meridian Array?”

Someone like Qian Sanyuan, a Heavenly-grade Meridian Refining Master, naturally recognized at a glance what technique Yun Xiao was using. The precision in recognizing the spots and the quick speed made them silently astonished.

Initially, Qingmu Wu’s face looked a bit green because he wasn’t sure whether Liu Hanyi could survive Bai Wushuang’s successive blows.

However, upon seeing Yun Xiao suddenly take action and employ a miraculous Meridian Array unfamiliar even to himself, he suddenly relaxed, thinking that with Yun Xiao’s understanding in Meridian Refining, perhaps his worries were unnecessary.

”Uh...”

After Yun Xiao’s Meridian Array formed and exploded with formidable power, Liu Hanyi, originally unconscious, finally woke up, though her breath remained weak.

”Why so serious?”

Looking at the pale face, Yun Xiao’s expression turned even angrier, knowing that her injuries were so severe that he wasn’t confident he could save her. If not for her Immortal Poison Body’s unique physique, she might have truly perished.

”Hehe, I knew you would come to save me… cough… cough...”

Even at this moment, Liu Hanyi could still manage to smile. However, her breath was short; after a few coughs, blood seeped again from the edge of her lips.

”Stop talking; this is your life!”

Seeing her condition, Yun Xiao reprimanded. But he knew this girl’s temper inside out, realized he couldn’t convince her, so he directed his gaze to a certain refined figure on the arena stage, filled with unhidden killing intent.

”Will you avenge me, won’t you?”

Liu Hanyi’s voice came from the side. Seeing Yun Xiao nod slowly, she continued, ”This time, when you act against that guy, it won’t only be because of Mo Qing’s matter!”

The next words puzzled Yun Xiao somewhat but didn’t leave him thinking deeply, only considering it a whimsical thought from this playful girl.

Little did he know, in her heart, she had already developed an inexplicable affection for him. Even in such matters, she didn’t want Mo Qing to be the only one occupying that space.